Still, yet and already say how a situation relates to the time you expect. Still means it continues. Already means it happened, often earlier than expected. Yet means up to now, and it is used in negatives and questions.
Use still when something has not stopped. It usually goes before the main verb, after be as a main verb, or after the first auxiliary or modal verb.
In a negative sentence, still usually goes after the subject, before the negative verb. It suggests the situation should have changed, but has not: I still haven't found my keys.
Use already for something that has happened, often sooner than you expected. It usually goes in the mid position: before the main verb, or after be as a main verb, or after the first auxiliary. It can also go at the end for emphasis.
With the meaning "up to now", use yet in negative sentences and in questions. It usually goes at the end.
In a more formal style, yet can also come after not: They have not yet arrived.
Yet usually goes with a perfect form, especially in British English: I haven't finished yet. For more, see The present perfect with just, yet, already, ever, for and since.
Use no longer, not... any more and not... any longer for a situation that has stopped. They mean the opposite of still.
| Form | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| no longer | before the main verb, after be | He is no longer a student. |
| not... any more | at the end | He is not a student any more. |
| not... any longer | at the end | They don't live here any longer. |
In American English, any more is often written as one word: anymore.
| Situation | Word |
|---|---|
| it continues | still |
| it happened, often earlier than expected | already |
| it has not happened up to now | not yet |
| it has stopped | no longer / not... any more |
✗They yet haven't arrived.
✓They haven't arrived yet.
With the "up to now" meaning, yet usually goes at the end of a negative sentence. It can also come after not or n't (They haven't yet arrived), especially in a more formal style, but it does not come before the negative word, as in yet haven't.
✗He doesn't live here no longer.
✓He doesn't live here any longer.
Standard English uses no longer or not... any longer for a stopped situation, not both together. Putting two negatives together (negative concord) is heard in some varieties, but it is not standard.
✗She has finished yet.
✓She has already finished.
In this positive sentence the meaning is "earlier than expected", so use already. With the "up to now" meaning, yet is used in negatives and questions, not positive sentences.
See The present perfect with just, yet, already, ever, for and since for the present perfect, Frequency adverbs: always, usually, often, never for the position of other adverbs, and Negatives: not, n't and do-support for negative sentences.
Eight questions. Choose one answer for each.